Keeping Your Marriage Growing

Happy Valentine's Day . . . a day late, but it's the sentiment not the day, right?! :o)

I thought I'd share the bullet points from our pastor's sermon yesterday, titled "Keeping Your Marriage Growing," in celebration of this amorous holiday.

Philippians 1:9 "This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love."

1. Keep on Paying Attention
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." James 1:19

2. Keep on Making Adjustments
"We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." 1 John 3:18

3. Keep on Showing Affection
"Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:10

4. Keep on Giving Affirmation
"Encourage each other every day while it is 'today'." Hebrews 3:13

5. Keep on Following Jesus
"As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in Him." Colossians 2:6

Snowtime Adventures

We have been severely disappointed by winter weather predictions so far this winter - predictions of snow that completely missed the mark. However, this weekend's winter storm was even better than expected. We had a minimum of ice, no power outage, and 7" of snow!

I love playing in the snow in the dark, which we were able to do Friday night as it started to accumulate. Brandon is not a cold-hardy little man; he lasted about 10 minutes before he headed inside and warmed himself in his underwear by the fire. Camryn was a little overwhelmed but seemed to enjoy the "suh-no," and Abi absolutely couldn't get enough of it! Even Bella seemed to enjoy the snow, although 7" is a little deep for her to navigate easily. We headed in to thaw out, decorate some warm cupcakes, drink some hot chocolate, and watch a little "Tom & Jerry" by the fire. Who could ask for a more perfect wintry Friday night?!

We headed out again this morning to play again - just glad Nick didn't require a trip to the ER to repair a damaged tongue. :o)

Not the most flattering picture of me --- but I looove Cam's face in this one!

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

"Little Man" is the nickname we've called B since he was little bitty. Today, he says to me, "Even though I'm four, Momma, I'm still your Little Man, right?" Of course! If only he knew how deeply a momma loves her babies -- even at the ripe ole age of four.
We celebrated the day with a few more gifts, a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, and a second birthday cake. Sweet day. Sweet boy.

The Last Day of 3

Tomorrow, my baby boy will be FOUR years old. I just can't believe it! Four seems to be so much older than three. It seems like just yesterday my Little Man was born . . . on Friday the 13th and a full moon!
Off to enjoy his last day of "3"!

A couple of hours before B was born - I still miss that baby feeling in my tummy!Abi loving on Brother!First BirthdaySecond BirthdayThird Birthday
Fourth Birthday

Little Bits of Not-Much

I've so enjoyed the past week and a half, having all three of my babies at home to play with. I forget just how much I miss Abi when she's in school!
Other than celebrating Christmas with family in Hot Springs, we've done a whole lot of not-much, which has been refreshingly wonderful ...

A little bit of Santa-impersonationA little bit of present-openingA little bit of sicknessA little bit of scootering
A little bit of free-playA little bit of snow-play
(after missing out on the White Christmas in Greenwood)A little bit of pee-peeingA little bit of marshmallow tossing

Kid-Friendly Baking

I love to cook with the kids and especially love recipes that they can actually do most of themselves. I found a great candy recipe that Abi could do solo. She enjoyed making it and giving it to her Sunday School teachers for Christmas.

Chocolate Cookie Bark

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S White Chocolate, melted

10 OREO Cookies, crumbled, divided

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

ADD peanut butter to white chocolate; stir until well blended. Stir 1/2 the cookies into each bowl of chocolate.

DROP spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet, alternating colors of chocolates. Swirl with knife.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

A Little Trinket from College

Anyone else remember this . . .
You could take home a little souvenir of the good ole' college days! I think they're asking less for it than Nick's truck is worth -- if you can believe that!

What we do when B's at Grandma's . . .

Eat chocolate cake . . .

And make dangly snowman ornaments . . . If it makes you feel any better, B, Abi said today (completely unsolicited), "It's boring at home when Brandon's not here! I miss him!"

The Difference 20 seconds makes

Here's little Miss Claus having a throw-down temper-tantrum in the floor . . . .And here she is literally 20 seconds later, the cheeriest elf you ever did see!

The Best $4 He Ever Spent

I am declaring the $4 my brother spent for this get-up at a yard sale . . .as the best $4 he ever spent!